Chevrolet has really crushed it with the 6th-generation Camaro. The chassis is brilliant, the engine note is downright delicious, and the performance is world class… and that’s just on a regular old SS. Step up to the 650-horsepower Camaro ZL1 and it’s a whole different ballgame.

Under the hood is the supercharged LT4 and it’s paired with either a six-speed manual or the ten-speed automatic found on our test car. This auto box is far better than the eight-speed used elsewhere in the GM lineup.

Amazingly, this isn’t even the craziest Camaro you can buy. With the ZL1, you can option it out as a ZL1 1LE. That swaps the magnetic ride for spool valve-dampened suspension, smaller wheels with wider tires, and enough aero to force the car into the ground when pushed aggressively.

If you want one of the most capable bang-for-the-buck cars out there, the Camaro ZL1 should be on your shopping list. It’s not cheap, priced over $60,000, but it will decimate the egos and lap times of those with far more expensive machinery.

[Disclaimer: Chevy tossed us the keys to the ZL1 and included a tank of fuel.]

I saw a new ZL1 1LE on the way home from work today. I could tell it was a ZL1 1LE from the flares scoops and spoilers. That and the license plate was 1LE ZL1. A seriously mean looking car.

wunno sev

the smug-suburban-baby-boomer completeness challenge includes putting at least one GM option package code on your vanity plate. you’re given credit for a second if you have only one but it’s included in a pun about racing and/or winning. you only get seven characters, after all.

additional credit is given for a “blue lives matter” sticker and/or a fact sheet to be displayed in the window at car shows.